Vinyl Asylum

Posted by albertoderoma (A) on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

Hi,

I am continuing to experiment with video reviews of audio components, and I just created and posted a video review of AT440MLa (click on link below).

I have been a big fan of the 440MLa for quite a while. It was the cart that made me discover the benefits of the micro-stylus and get rid of nasty inner-grove distortion for good. Even though I have a Clearaudio Maestro, I still use the 440MLa almost daily - for most of my casual vinyl listening and with records that are not in the best of shape.

On the page with the video review, you will also see links to various AT440MLa resources including the official 440MLa page on the Audio Technica site, a review of the cartridge from "The Sensible Sound", a mega thread on the cartridge on Steve Hoffman's and VA's forums, and more - feel free to add to those links.

I hope you guys enjoy the video review, and let me know if you'd like me to do a similar video review on the Shure M97xe (which I mention toward the end of the 440 review).

Please keep in mind that I am an amateur reviewer/hobbyist, not a professional, don't expect anything too polished.

Thanks,

Alberto

P.S. Before I get blamed for adding to the hype on the AT440MLa which will cause a price increase, please note that the hype cycle has already happened and a price increase is, apparently, already in process. At least based on this note on the "TurntableNeedles.com" website:

"IMPORTANT: This cartridge is undergoing a significant price increases from Audio Technica, grab it while you can, it will only go up. We have bought all we could at the "old price" in order to delay this increase as long as possible for our customers."

• Video review of AT440MLa (click on my ugly mug to start the video)   (Open in New Window)

Edits: 07/24/08

• Great stuff! Thanks! (nt) - krenzler 09:50:08 07/25/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  nt
  
  

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• Replacement styli - IkoX2 17:48:56 07/24/08 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  Having jumped into the vinyl world again in the last two years, I am a little rusty on things I used to do with my TT back in the 70s and 80s.
  
  Replacement styli--I have this great cartridge and starting looking at replacement styli. WOW-it really costs around $70-$80!? Do you folks just buy a complete backup cartridge or what?
  
  Curious
  
  

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  • Seems to be more cost-effective to buy a whole new cart. - olddude55 18:08:34 07/24/08 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: Replacement styli posted by IkoX2 on July 24, 2008 at 17:48:56

    Of course, I still buy just plain styli.
    To me, cartridges are like smack. Trying different cartridges and different cartridge/stylus combos is highly addictive.
    
    _
    Everything's nice when you're covered in ice...
    
    

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    • What about suspension break in. - HamBone77 06:44:49 07/25/08 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: Seems to be more cost-effective to buy a whole new cart. posted by olddude55 on July 24, 2008 at 18:08:34

      Does that make a new styli more reasonable? Cause I need one or a new cart. Fingernails and ME don't always play nice with microscopic cantalivers.
      
      HB
      
      

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• Excellent! - olddude55 15:01:39 07/24/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  I'm becoming a dedicated AT fan. The 440MLa is one of my favorite cartridges.
  I'm using an AT-140LC right now, but with a 440MLa stylus.
  The 140 is sweeter than the 440 with no loss of detail. The highs are a better, too.
  I think the 440 has tighter bass.
  I agree with you about tracking the 440MLa up around 1.7 grams VTF.
  
  _
  Everything's nice when you're covered in ice...
  
  

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• Unrelated but a must see.. - bjh 14:48:44 07/24/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  Our reviewer is also a renowned survivalist dude specializing in arid/desert survival.
  
  Should you find yourself broken down in the middle of the desert while travelling to one of those few and far flung remaining audio retailers his advice may save you life!
  
  
  
  
  Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
  

  • http://youtube.com/watch?v=eUW3dxlkt_k   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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• Excellent ...and enthusiastically presented! Thanks for hippin' me to the AT440MLa!...N/T - musetap 12:41:49 07/24/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  N/T
  "...You're all welcome to stay for the next set...we're going to play all the same tunes, but in different keys..." -Count Basie
  
  

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• is it really going up? Have they no shame... - NuWave 09:42:46 07/24/08 (6)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  The vendor I got mine from is only $10 more now than when I originally got it for $89, which was probably a year ago(I think). I have my Sonata on my table now which I also like, but I miss the 440mla. It's going back on soon.
  
  

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  • Originally, $74.99 at LP Gear. Now, $99.95. /nt\ - Opus 104 09:48:22 07/24/08 (5)
    In Reply to: RE: is it really going up? Have they no shame... posted by NuWave on July 24, 2008 at 09:42:46

    
    
    "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
    
    

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    • hmmm...... - NuWave 09:57:38 07/24/08 (4)
      In Reply to: RE: Originally, $74.99 at LP Gear. Now, $99.95. /nt\ posted by Opus 104 on July 24, 2008 at 09:48:22

      I though I GOT a deal, guess not. I think mine was 89 + 5 shipping at LPgear. I didn't jump on it right away when it cam out. Hey wait a sec, if we talk DOWN a cartridge, maybe the price will lower? Lets all talk about how crappy the Dyna 20xl is for a while, so I can get one for $150 :-)
      
      

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      • Could never bad mouth my 20XLs. Best under $1k cart around, IMO. /nt\ - Opus 104 10:12:05 07/24/08 (3)
        In Reply to: RE: hmmm...... posted by NuWave on July 24, 2008 at 09:57:38

        
        
        "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
        
        

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        • I think you might find the Sound-Smith SMMC-1 and 2, as well as the Zu 103 to be better! nt. - George Mann 19:27:43 07/24/08 (0)
          In Reply to: RE: Could never bad mouth my 20XLs. Best under $1k cart around, IMO. /nt\ posted by Opus 104 on July 24, 2008 at 10:12:05

          .
          
          

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        • unless there was a recent price increase - trav 17:42:14 07/24/08 (1)
          In Reply to: RE: Could never bad mouth my 20XLs. Best under $1k cart around, IMO. /nt\ posted by Opus 104 on July 24, 2008 at 10:12:05

          the Karat is under $1k, and significantly better. Not a knock on the 20X, but Dyna delivers much more cart for the extra $$$.
          
          

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          • Uh, they're both Dynas. Agree the Karat is good but the - Opus 104 18:33:13 07/24/08 (0)
            In Reply to: RE: unless there was a recent price increase posted by trav on July 24, 2008 at 17:42:14

            20XL is a better value, IMO. Not so the 20XH.
            
            
            "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier
            
            

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• RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa - Marantzguy 09:41:59 07/24/08 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: World premier video review of the Audio Technica AT440MLa posted by albertoderoma on July 24, 2008 at 06:35:54

  Nice job, Alberto!
  
  Richard Links
  Berkeley, CA
  
  

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